Finding Neverland

Belinda and I went to see "Finding Neverland" today. What a tear-jerker. Not what I expected at all. I went expecting to see a typical Miramax "Merchant-Ivory" production about Victorian England and a quirky guy who wrote the story of Peter Pan. What I got instead was perhaps the most subtle and nuanced performance of Johnny Depp's career, a delicate script, and breathtaking performances from the child actors, especially 12 year-old Freddie Highmore as the stoic and heart-broken Peter Llewelyn Davies. Also great to see Melbourne-born Radha Mitchell playing Depp's wife. Oh, and I didn't want to hack Kate Winslet to death with a blunt shovel, which is how I normally feel about her roles (not saying anything about her ability as an actor, just the roles she tends to inhabit). One test of a great film, for me anyway, is whether or not it inspires me to research the characters or events afterwards. Do I walk out of the cinema thinking "gee, that was 2 hours of my life I'll never see again" or do I spend even more time after the film wanting to learn about the characters and the film-makers. This film has left me wanting to read a biography on J. M. Barrie. That's about the highest praise I can give it. Oh, and thank god for Johnny Depp. I was wondering, you know how almost every film Johnny Depp has made in his career (I'm prepared to ignore "Nick Of Time" and "The Astronaut's Wife" as aberrations) has been unique and above average? Is that because he brings something to the film or is it because he chooses his projects carefully and they just happen to have great directors, scripts, cast and crew?

Comments

[Nicole Simon (useful sounds)]

Jonny Depp is one reason why one should see the original versions and not dubbed ones. While the translation of Pirates of the .. was okay, he has a special kind of performance - I am never sure if he is joking, or just being sad.

As I liked him in his roles so far (and don't know the one you mentioned above) I am looking forward to this film - have to plan a trip to Berlin to the Sony Center around that time so I can go and see it in English.

And, as my friend and I both really like his looks and voice, it will be easy to get her into it ;o)

[Of course, it's all about the story *g*]

[Marc Orchant]

I saw a lengthy interview with Depp on The Actor's Studio with James Lipton here in the states on the Bravo Channel (a fabulous show where the actor goes one-on-one with Lipton and his stack of questions on index cards, followed by Q&A with the audience - all acting students at NYU).

The reason his films, by and large, are so unusual *is* because he chooses them with great care. He is an introspective, self-aware artist with a very clear idea of where he does not want to go with his craft - down the road of commercial damnation.

[Emma]

It was the best, it was so so sad i cried lots I've seen it twice and ilove Johnny Depp more than ever.
i am so buying it when it comes out on DVD.
Love Always Emma